Sterling Pass in Sedona

STERLING PASS

Sterling Pass takes you through and up a forested gully of Oak Creek Canyon to a saddle before descending through Sterling Canyon to Vultee Arch. The trailhead is across 89A just up from Manzanita Campground. Word has it that the canyon was named after a local settler; however, I read somewhere that the settler was a cattle rustler and he used this pass as his getaway path. After hiking the trail I can’t imagine a herd of cattle navigating the narrow, steep parts; but it sure does add some mystery to the hike.

One-Way Mileage: The trail winds 2.4 miles through the canyon to end at the start of Vultee Arch Trail. At that point you’ll need to make a judgment call to either continue on or turn around and go back the way you came.

Elevation gain: ~1100 feet.

Top Elevation: ~6000 feet

Experience Needed: Hikers should be comfortable with steep and narrow trails. I recommend using hiking sticks for added stability and confidence.

Difficulty: Other sites rate it as anywhere from moderate to difficult. The Coconino National Forest site says it’s Strenuous. It all comes down to your fitness level and experience with narrow, steep trails. It was a huffer and a puffer. Plenty of shade, lots of switchbacks. The entry point of the trailhead was the sketchiest spot in my opinion because you must climbing up a steep trailhead in soft Sedona dirt, above the highway. Once you get up that entry point you’ll feel more secure.

Parking: The hike is located right off highway 89A so parking can be interesting. If you’re planning a camping trip, plan to stay at Manzanita Campground and you’ll have a great access point to the trail. If you are not that lucky, you can use pull-outs along the road as long as you have a Red Rock parking pass.

Pets: If cattle used to pass through here I assume dogs are allowed. The National Forest site says horses are allowed. No mountain bikes though. I could not find any other information regarding dogs.

People Meter: We saw a handful of people but experienced no traffic jams.

Safety: Hiking sticks are recommended. Bring a headlamp and snacks and water. After you start huffing and puffing your way up, it will be important to rest, drink, and refuel. Also, because you are sifting your way through the pines and maples, there is plenty of shade, meaning as dusk falls you’ll want to have extra light just in case. It will also vary quite a bit between hot and cold as you hike (we were there in November), so dress in layers.

Links: Coconino National Forest information on Sterling Pass

My experiences: In November of 2008, we were limited in time as we had to check out of the campground that day, so we did not make it the full distance, missing probably the most beautiful part of the hike, where it runs into Vultee Arch. I fully intend to get back there this year to do the full hike, as the hike up to the saddle was one of my most cherished hikes so far in AZ.

Revisiting East Wing one year later.

What a huge difference a year makes. When I first visited East Wing Mountain Loop it was February 2010 and there were nearly zero cars in the park's parking lot (see comparison at the link: 2010 post)

Today the parking lot was so full I had to park on a side street!

Luckily however all those people weren't headed to the trail I was headed to. I saw more lizards (7) and butterflies (8) than I did humans.

There's something about this trail that I really like. It's not a hard hike, it's not a long hike and it doesn't push me. But it leaves me in a really good mood. There's just enough of a push that I feel accomplished when I'm done, it's more than just a walk around the block. I think it's the fact I was able to stop and enjoy myself. I got to play with my camera without feeling self-conscious. I took more than 50 photos of a rock and butterflies and never once had to move off the trail to let someone by. Never felt like I was taking more than my fair share of time in any one spot. And I sat at the top of the small mountain for a long as I liked without being rushed and without anyone else crowding me out.

The butterflies were playing tag and no matter how much I tried, I couldn't get "the" photo I wanted, but it was fun while it lasted. They'd coast by my head, they'd land for a second and flutter off again. They'd close their wings when I hoped they'd open them. I'd zoom in and they'd be gone before my finger could press the camera's button. But I got 50 blurry photos.

On my way down the mountain a lizard scurried off its perch running for a rock cover. He did a few push-ups, he grabbed a leaf and ate it, he poked his head over the rock and stared at me.

I felt connected.

Rainbow Valley Trail @ Estrella Mountain Park

RAINBOW VALLEY TRAIL
The Rainbow Valley Trail is located in Estrella Mountain Regional Park in Goodyear, AZ -- south of the I-10 between Buckeye and Tolleson. There are over 33 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Trails range in length and difficulty making this park a great choice for nearly everyone.

LOOP Mileage: The path described and shown here is a loop totaling just under 9  miles. The path we chose to follow took us the length of Rainbow Valley (3.5

miles), transferred us to Toothaker for 1.6 miles, east on Pederson for 0.4 miles, father east on Gadsden trail for .7 miles and back to the rodeo ground on Butterfield for 2.4 miles. This topped us out at 8.6 miles total and took us 4 hours at a steady pace. You have the option at many points to make your loop shorter. Be sure to study the map linked to here to determine your route. Maricopa.gov Park Map

Elevation gain: ~440 feet. You will experience some ups and downs throughout the trail but the steepest ascent seemed to be within the first 3 miles.

Top Elevation: ~1500 feet

Experience Needed: This is fairly beginner hike. Great introduction to desert hiking.

Difficulty

: Moderate. Distance is the player in the difficulty. A Sun Lakes Hiking Club Meetup group rated the hike a C. I don’t know if that’s based on difficulty or on enjoyment factors. I enjoyed this hike. The toughest section is within the first 4 miles as you give your heart a steady pump as you ascend to an overlook. The descent of this first small peak has a bit of a loose rock sketchiness to it, just enough to make you feel like the trip is worth it. After that you head into the desert and have a long stretch of trail where you really get the feeling you’re not in the city anymore. Desert is to all sides of you, saguaros rise from the dust. You think back to the Peanuts cartoons of Snoopy’s cousin Spike and really feel like he may have roots in the nearby cacti. This would be a good warm-up hike for something longer if you bring out a packed up backpack and hit the 9 mile loop.

Parking: Day Use Parking is $6 per car. Plenty of parking is available. For the hike described here you should park at the Rodeo Arena – the farthest parking point south in the Park. The parking lot closest to the Rainbow Valley trailhead is behind the Arena bleachers past the horse staging area.

Pets: Horses are allowed on designated trails. Dogs are allowed on the trails but must be on a 6 foot leash.

People Meter: We saw zero people on the hiking trail but did see people leaving the parking lot as we arrived and arriving at the lot as we left.

Safety: Due to the relative solitude of the hike, I recommend you bring your cell phone, plenty of water, a headlamp or flashlight just in case you get caught after dark. In addition, animals may be more likely to cross your path if they don’t sense a stampede of people. A first aid kit may be a good idea. Be sure to yield to horse traffic if you encounter them. These trails also seem ripe for mountain biking so be on the lookout even if it appears sparse.

My experiences: My first visit to the park was in January 2011. I based my trail information off of what I found on the county website as well as what was written in the book 60 Hikes in 60 Miles.

The Saguaros in this park are amazing. One very rare cactus stands to the right of the trail just over halfway through the hike.